Hindsight's 20/20: 3 Draft Scenarios the Redskins Didn't Take: Part 1

The NFL Draft is in the books and the Washington Redskins walked away with a class of 8 new players from which to build upon. The Redskins stuck to their board and that left them making some interesting decisions, that could leave their return from this class possibly lacking. Now whether the Redskins were right or wrong in their draft approach won't be fully known for a couple of years, but I thought it would be fun to look at 3 alternative scenarios the Redskins could have taken. While there are any number of variations that could occur, I decided to go with three basic ones.

The Redskins stand pat- This means that the Redskins don't make the two trades they made over the course of the draft.

The Redskins re-pick at their draft slots: This is a redo of the Redskins draft, based on the picks they actually made

The Redskins trade back more and stock pile picks: This explores additional trade options for the Redskins.

Now all picks and trades are subject to as close of a realistic approach as possible. This means that all picks are made with the players who were actually on the board. No assumptions that if the Redskins passed on Trent Murphy in the 2nd round that he would slide to the 3rd, even if that actually could have happened. As for additional trades they must be actual trades that were offered in a similar place as to where the Redskins were selecting.

Redskins Stand Pat:

Pick 34: DE Stephon Tuitt -

Other players under consideration: G/T Joel Bitonio, T Morgan Moses, T Cyrus Kouandjio, DL Timmy Jernigan, DL Ra'Shede Hageman

-With the safety group picked over in the first round and neither of the top two ILB's on the board, this decision comes down to either the offensive of defensive lines for me. Both groups offer numerous top options and guys who can make an impact early on. For me though here with Stephon Tuitt is is a perfect fit for a 3-4 defense, his ability to be a top pass rusher, seals the deal. The Redskins need to build up their defense if they want to be a contender and from an overall team perspective that is more important than increasing the protection for RGIII. Though Hageman and the sliding Jernigan are quite tempting, Tuitt has played the 5 technique position at a high level and has produced quite a bit the past two years. He could really bolster the front line and he has the potential to develop into a 10 sack type of guy.

Pick 66: OT Morgan Moses

Other players under consideration: C Travis Swanson, C Marcus Martin, ILB Chris Borland, S Terrence Brooks, NT Louis Nix, G Gabe Jackson

-This is a fairly easy decision as Moses would have been under consideration with the 2nd round pick. There is some good value here at center, ILB, and safety, all desperate positions of need. If Tuitt wasn't the pick in the 2nd round Nix would get more attention here, but now the line is a bit more crowded. Moses though can fill the right tackle need and that puts him slightly above the other guys on this list.

Pick 102: CB Pierre Desir

Other players under consideration: CB Bashuad Breeland, NT Justin Ellis, NT DaQuan Jones, CB Ross Cockrell, CB/S Keith McGill, G Dakota Dozier, G Cyril Richardson

-This is pretty much a toss-up pick between Desir and Breeland. Both are raw, long corners with major upside. Desir though is a little taller with longer arms and edged out Breeland in just about ever Combine workout. Breeland played at a higher level of competition, but Desir succeeded at both the East/West Shrine game and Senior Bowl. With the Redskins not needing this corner as much this year (outside of special teams), Desir I think has a little bit more upside and that wins out.

Pick 142: G David Yankey

Other players under consideration: G Cyril Richardson, ILB Jordan Tripp, TE Arthur Lynch, ILB Lamin Barrow, WR Jared Abbrederis, OLB Chris Smith, WR Devin Street

-Guards were falling in this draft so either David Yankey or Cyril Richardson would have been a great pick-up here. Yankey is probably a bit more NFL ready as Richardson needs to learn how to succeed in a pro style offense. While some other picks would have gotten some consideration, getting a guard this talented late would have been tough to pass up. Yankey is a big physical guard who has excelled along Stanford's line the past few seasons. He may not start day one, but he's got the potential to be a very good starter in a year.

Pick 178: RB Lache Seastrunk

Other players under consideration: CB Phillip Gaines, CB Antone Exum, G Jon Halapio, WR Robert Herron, CB Bennett Jackson, WR Matt Hazel

-Though there would be some corners and receivers of interest here, I think Seastrunk was an excellent pick in the 6th round and he would have been my pick even without the trade back. From a pure talent/potential stand point, Seastrunk was a top 100 guy, but he's just raw. Baylor's offense didn't teach him to be much of a receiver or blocker so those traits aren't refined which allowed him to slide. The Redskins don't need him much this year with Roy Helu in the fold, but in 2015 he could play a big role.

Pick 217: OLB Trevor Reilly

Other players under consideration: WR Jeff Janis, WR Michael Campanaro, ILB Christian Jones, ILB Shane Skov, ILB Max Bullough, OLB Jackson Jeffcoat, OLB Morgan Breslin, WR Tevin Reese, S Ahmad Dixon, OL Antonio Richardson, G/T Charles Leno, WR Brandon Coleman, DL DeAndre Coleman

-This is a tough pick with so much talent still on the board. At this point the Redskins can go in any direction and it would make sense. Grabbing an ILB or WR like Jeff Janis would have made a lot of sense. Here though I think grabbing a pure pass rusher is a good fit. Reilly is a really good natural pass rusher who fell due to his age and injury history. If he's healthy though he could be a steal here and will fill the Redskins need for a situational rusher.

Overall:

With only six selections it's tough to fill even half the needs that you want to fill. Not landing a S, ILB or C hurts. Also, grabbing a WR with size or an inline TE also were areas I hoped to address. I like the balance of this six man class with three defensive and three offensive players. I feel like the first four picks can all develop into starters and were all good value picks. Tuitt really has a chance to be special and he could make an immediate impact on that defensive line. With Jarvis Jenkins an impending free agent after the year and both Hatcher and Cofield on the older side, Tuitt's role will only continue to get bigger.

I will Mock the other two scenarios later this week, but in the mean time what do you think of this draft? What would you do differently?